Frequently Asked Questions

Airport Support

Standard hangar rent /tie down fee increases, and airport manager relationship issues, are best left to those involved to resolve. Experience has shown that resolution of these issues requires that all parties sit down in a respectful, courteous and businesslike manner. The continuous state budget crisis dictates creating partnerships – which lead to success.

Yes – The California Pilots Association will assist and guide your organization in the resolution of, and suggest a strategy to address your airport’s issues. We cannot however, lead each fight. Locals are required to do the ongoing ground work to resolve their airport issues.

It is important to understand that organized local aviators are the first defense of their airport. Being proactive is important, since being reactive means lost time which might be critical to issue resolution. CALPILOTS’ position is that all airport users should belong to their local airport/pilot organization (see Three Tiered Defense).

Established in 1949, we are a statewide non-profit committed to the support of our state general aviation airports and flight privileges.

Our objectives are:

Growing General Aviation

Airport/infrastructure support and advocacy

Advice/Expert Testimony

Research, Education/Information, and

Events – such as our Annual Meeting and statewide meet and greet meetings

We are a statewide non-profit served by volunteers. All money collected in the form of dues or donations is used to deal with the many issues that our airports face – no one is paid. To continue our success, we need your support. A membership is less than 10 cents per day. Aren’t your airport and your aviator privileges worth that amount? Please join us in helping you in protecting your airport.

There are a number of ways that your annual dues support the organization. We have a bi-monthly newsletter we use to communicate with aviators statewide, and a website we use to communicate with aviators and other interested parties worldwide. We also cover expenses such as travel (i.e. mileage) costs for board members who travel to speak to groups, and on California Pilots Association business such as trips to Sacramento to work with Legislators, etc. In some situations, we have had to resort to filing lawsuits, over a dozen to date, to require the airport administrative entities to follow the law. The costs associated with the law suits are also covered by dues. Most of our legal work, however, is done pro-bono. As a volunteer organization there are no salaries or payroll.

The short answer is that while the national aviation organizations all do an admirable job, they can no longer do it all. The issues surrounding our general aviation airports are increasing. We believe that every aviation enthusiast, pilot or not, should belong to their aviation organizations at the local, statewide and national levels. We believe that each of us has to do more to protect our general aviation airports. We call it the “Three Tiered Defense” – Local – Statewide – and National. All three tiers need to work together to accomplish the goal. This is only beginning to happen. Further, we have to change our mind sets to understand that we can no longer protect our airports by writing a check to one of the national aviation organizations. It is now imperative that all get involved. Each of us can do something to help, no matter how small. What have we done for you lately – check it out.